Valentine's Day gifts: How to pick the right flowers

Next to chocolates and stuffed animals holding hearts, flowers are the face of Valentine’s Day.

You see them everywhere: frantic men picking them up last-minute at the grocery store, giddy teens walking home from school with a single rose and even extravagant arrangements delivered to gushing co-workers.

Don’t let your loved one feel left out. You’ve still got time to make Cupid proud.

And we know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Valentine’s Day supposed to be about love, not gifts?” Well, you’re right, but let’s face it— some want the goods to prove it.

We talked to local floral experts to create a Valentine’s Day guide. You still have time to order arrangements or pick up stems and get creative yourself.

What they are: There are over 100 species around the world and remain the most popular pick for Valentine’s Day.

Colors and meaning: The most popular hues for the holiday are red, pink and white. According to Deborah Keys, owner of Pealer’s Flowers in Camp Hill, Harrisburg and Carlisle, red means love, pink means sweetness and white means purity. Keys said an arrangement with red and white symbolizes unity. Yellow symbolizes friendship and orange ones stand for desire. “Younger guys are afraid not to do red [roses], but girls really like color,” Keys said.

How to buy them: The longer the stem, the more expensive rose arrangements cost. Keys said shorter stems with no added foliage or accenting greens such as baby’s breath are trendy right now. This low-profile look is known as the European cut and can come in short glass cubes, instead of elaborate vases.

Price: A single rose costs about $4, arranged in a half dozen for about $40 or arranged in a dozen for about $70. They last up to two weeks, but usually just one.

Gerbera Daisies

What they are: They look like regular daisies, only bigger and resemble sunflowers.

Colors and meanings: This flower symbolizes cheerfulness and can also mean innocence or purity. They come in vibrant colors such as fuchsia, coral and bright yellow. The brighter, the better.

How to buy them: These look great by themselves. Since they’re pretty big you can have a gorgeous arrangement with just six and can go as high as a dozen. You can also add these to bouquets with carnations and lilies as a beautiful accent, said Michelle Kushner, a manager at Stephenson’s Flowers and Gifts in Harrisburg.

Price: Arrangements of just gerbera daisies range from $35 to $50, depending on the size of the vase. They last about a week and a half.

Tulips

What they are: Known for their bulb heads, they are the most popular of all garden flowers.

Colors and meaning: A red, white and pink arrangement is the most popular for this kind of classic flower. They’re special because unlike most flowers, they continue to grow (toward a light source) after they’re cut. Symbolizing balance and comfort, they are not too fancy, too big, too small or too bright. What also makes them attractive is their stems with curving leaves. “This time of year people are sick of snow and tulips are a sign that spring is coming,” Keys said.

How to buy them: It’s important to get a bunch of these to send a message. Don’t just try to stick three in a vase. Buy at least 10.

Price: Ten loose tulips go for about $15. To get 15 in a vase expect to pay between $35 and $50. Tulips flop after five days.

Stargazer Lilies

What they are: When you see one of these, you’ll want to ask for its autograph. The superstars of Valentine’s Day flowers, they are anything but subtle and known for being very fragrant.

Colors and meaning: Usually all white or with a pink filling, these represent boldness and drama. “Girls that like flowers tend to like lilies because they have more of a tropical look,” Kushner said.

How to buy them: Despite being sold as an exclusive arrangement, stargazers look best with roses.

Price: $5 to $10 a stem with three to five blooms or flowers per stem.

Carnations

What they are: These are classic when giving the gift of flowers. They are delicate, but durable and smell like cloves.

Colors and meaning: Known as a flower of love, they’re also an emblem of distinction and fascination. Colors are historically pale pink and peach, but have been bred to be brighter in reds, yellows, purples and more. For Valentine’s Day, a timeless romantic look is an arrangement with red, pink and white.

How to buy them: These can be bought in bushels or inserted with roses, daisies and other flowers. Since they can blend in or stand out, they are the most versatile of the Valentine’s Day picks.

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